[i:Vibes] Pharmacy Music Present: Phase 1 – Mixed by Christopher Lawrence
A collection of the finest so far from Christopher Lawrence’s Pharmacy Music with this new compilation ‘Phase 1’. One full on mix of the finest underground trance released over the past few years…
There is very little more you can compliment Christopher Lawrence on what he’s done for the electronic dance music scene over the past two decades. His passion and drive for the underground sound is as strong as ever and one fruit of his labour to come from the past six years has been his Pharmacy Music label. It’s his very own home for the finest in underground trance he can source with not only a platform to release his own music on, also one to unleash new talents onto the scene. Since the label’s birth he has continuously done just that letting eh world know of the sounds Sean J Morris, Magnus and Jonathan Allyn have to offer. The Pharmacy Music back catalogue is one well worth exploring and having featured a few of their singles on our review pages its time to bring them all together in one mix. This is ‘Phase 1’ from Pharmacy, which has just re launched itself with a fresh new label image and a host of new singles to come for 2012. This compilation, mixed by Christopher Lawrence takes you through the past 13 singles from the label and it’s more than just a friendly reminder.
Within today’s very blended electronic genres the Pharmacy brand sticks to the pure sounds of trance with a drive for the more banging goa/psy influenced style. For the most part it’s a label that likes the melodies and beats do the talking, which is why over the course of this Phase One mix you won’t find a single vocal. You won’t have any complaints from me about that as the music speaks for itself. It’s fitting that the mix should open with the first release on the label, which came in 1998 with ‘Beyond The Limit’. The track is a partnership of two of trance music’s most iconic and underground names, Christopher Lawrence and John 00 Fleming. The latter of which is still driven to putting the underground trance scene back into the UK and beyond with his JOOF club nights. There collaboration is all about the pumping sound and acid tinged riffs that trance music does so well with a big break backed up by sweeping bass lines. The track on its own is one which sets up the mix very well and joins into another collaboration from Christopher. This time, with one of the new breed of trance producers coming through onto the scene, this one goes by the name of Sean J Morris. ‘Rock It’ is a track that’s hook lies all in the pumping bass line and lead riff that drive so much energy into the track.
Sean J Morris is an artist I’ve reviewed a few times here on i:Vibes and have been continuously impressed with his work. You will find four examples of them right here within Phase One. His solo singles ‘Halo’ and ‘Sunchaser’ prove he doesn’t need company in the studio to make a good track. His remix of ‘Continuation’ demonstrate his ability to stamp his own style on a track but keep within the original’s energy flow. That release must be one of my favourite releases on the label as it’s a track that when it reaches its peak, the aftermath leaves your head in a very good place. It’s a tune Christopher Lawrence has played out live many a time and on a big sound system in an even bigger room, the impact this track has is phenomenal.
One track min this platter of Pharmacy nibbles which I might have overlooked so far is a ‘Musulman T’ by Fergie & Sadrian. It’s a tune which after an aggressive beginning descends into a relaxed, harmonic break beat right in the middle before thrusting back into deep pounding kick drum and seriously addictive riff. It’s one of those tracks which will keep you on your toes. There is one artist from the label which does that time and time again which his releases is the very talented Jonathan Allyn who has two of his tracks featured in the mix here. ‘Fracture’ progressively feeds you in the melody without really setting alight and ‘Taking Sides’ hits you direct with a bright, energetic riff and explodes with energy all the way through. Both have a similar stamp in terms of sound but the delivery is refreshingly different each time.
It’s good to see a tune by Magnus in here who has a very deep psychedelic sound with his ‘Forward Command’. He knows how to make a bass line rumble that’s for sure. Similarly with Bissen’s remix of one of the labels recent releases ‘No Way Back’ from Cowboy Mike, which drives the energy with a pulsating bass tone. Gian Carlo is a name that’s not that known by me if I’m honest but his release on Pharmacy will be one for the progressive fans out there. ‘Extrasversion’ is the pick to slide into the mix from him here which was the eleventh release on the label.
In total there have been sixteen releases on the label so far with 13 of the very best represented right here in the mix. Christopher could have even slipped in a second mix such is the depth of quality from a label which doesn’t releases that frequently, but when it does you know you’re in for something special. The new look for Pharmacy will be bringing you a lot more fresh new underground trance and progressive sounds come 2012 as we await Phase two! For now, Phase one should give you a taste of what the labels is all about and will leave you thirsty for more.
Conclusion:
For those looking for the underground sound there is no better place to start than Phase One. Pharmacy Music at the hands of Christopher Lawrence and his team is a label of outstanding quality and passion for pure trance music with an added kick. Phase one will give you plenty of those, mixed, sequenced and blended together by one of the world’s biggest electronic artists Christopher Lawrence.
via [i:Vibes] Pharmacy Music Present: Phase 1 – Mixed by Christopher Lawrence [Pharmacy Music].
